Scraper or grader



Dec. 15, 1931. c. BUFFINGTON 1,837,108

' SCRAPEROE GRADER Filed Jan. 12, 192 9 7 Sheets-Sheet l Dec: 15, 1931.

H. c. BEJFFINGTON SCRAPER OR\GRADER Filed Jan. 12, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 3' 15, 1931. c BUFFlNGTON v 1,837,108

S CRAPER OR GRADER Filed Jan. 12, 1929 gmwntoz 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 I I 15, 1931- H. c. BIUFFINGTON SCRAPER 0R GRADER Filed Jan. 12, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 7' Patented Dec. 15, 1931 7 HARRY G. BUFFINGTON, OF SPRINGFIELD,

ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO THE BAKER MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, 01! SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS scnarnn on enannn Application filed January 12, 1929. Serial no. 382,038.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements 1n scrapers or graders and more particularly to a back filler, or plow, theprincipal object of the invention residing in theprovision of a device of the character de scribed in which'the back filler or plow is connected to a tractor, preferably of the caterpillar or endless track type, in such a manner that it may be raised or lowered to inoperative or operative position and in which the power or pull is taken off the tracks of the tractor instead of the draw bar thereof.

Another object of the invention consists in forming the back filler or plowwith a frame which entirely surrounds the tractor, the frame having a blade secured to'its forward end while the rear end thereof is con-' nected to the tractor in a novel manner whereby the forward or blade end may be raised'or lowered, the connection between the frame and tractor being such' that the position of the blade will not be efiected by the movement of the tractor over uneven ground- A further object of the invention resides in providing connecting bars or links between the track frames of the tractor and the frame of the back filler or plow, said bars or being securedto the track frame in a nove manner by brackets positioned on the frame in alignment or adjacent thereto, the bars or links causing the power or V 1111 for the-back filler or plow to be taken rom the tracks of the tractor and causing an even pull on the back filler or plow frame.

A still further object of the invention .consists in the provision of a jack or ram-carried by the frame of the back filler or plow for raising and lowering the back filler o'r plow, means extendin from the jack or ram and engaging the si e beams of the back filler-or plow intermediate the ends thereof so that when the jack or ram is operated-the. frame will be raised or lowered, the means extending from the jack or ram the tractor and engaging supported and carried y the frame of, the back filler'orplow.

'With the above and other objects in view,

which will appear as the description'prowith the rear axle of the tractor being connected to a'pulley or. the like ceeds, my invention consists in thenovel details of construction, and arrangement of tion and illustrated in the accompanying drawings,and while I have illustrated an parts, described in the following specificadescribed the preferred embodiments of the invention, as they now appear to me, it will be understood'that-such changes may be made as will fall within'the scope. of the appended claims. C

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation with the back filler or plow shown in lowered or operative position. V

Fig. 2 isa view similar to Fig. 1 withthe back filler or plow in raised or inoperative position.

Fig. 3 is a'top plan. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation. Fi 5 is a longitudinal vertical section on the 'hne -55 of Fig. 4 looking in the 'direc-,

tion of the arrows.

Fig. 6 {s a horizontalsection on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows. 3

Fig. 7 is a perspective of the standard '01 frame carried by the tractor and forming a part of the mechanism for raising and lowering the back filler or plow. I

i 8 is a vertical section on the line 8-8 of F g. 1' looking in the direction of the arrows. 3

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section with parts shown'in side elevation.

Figs; 10 and 11 are details showing the bracket, secured to the truck frame, and forming a connection for one end of the bars or links which connect the tractor to the frame of. the back filler or plow; and j Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the standard or frame illustrated in Fig. 7 and showing the manner-in which this standard or frame is secured the tractor.

In the drawings 1 indicates a tractor' of well-known construction including a rear axle 2 and a front axle 3 which sup rt, at

opposite sides of the tractor, a track me 4,

at opposite ends of which, are mounted the sproc et wheels 5 and 6 around which operto the side beam ofthe frame of frame 4 is of a construction, shown more particularly in Figs. 10 and 12 of the drawlngs, having the outwardly extending horizontal flan cs 14 for a purpose which will be later described. The front axle 3 will be of a-construction such as is usually employed in tractors of the type disclosed of a yield able nature so as to allow the front ends of the tracks and track frames to raise and lower due to unevenness in the ground and the rear axle 2 will act as a pivot for allowing such-movement of the track vand track frame.

As the parts so far described'are of wellown construction a further detailed de- SCILlFtlOIL thereof is not thou ht necessar y'improved form of bac filler or p ow, which is connected to and operated by the .tractor, includes a frame which consists of the side beams 15, the rear. cross beam 16 and the front cross beam 17, to which the blade 18 is secured. Secured to the bottom surfaces of'the side beams 15, to the rear of the blade 18, are the runners 19 which, when the frame and blade are in lowered or operative position engage the ground as shown more particularly in Fig. 1 of the drawin s.

tractor are the lugs 20 and formed on or secured to the rear cross beam 16 of the plow are the lugs or projections 21, these lugs or projections 21 extendin inwardl of the cross beam and adapted to aligned with the lugs or pro- 'ections 20, as shown more particularly in ig. 6 of the drawings. Each of the lugs or projections 20 and 21 are rovided with aligned openings through w ich'a bolt 22 passes for pivotally connecting the rear end of the frame of the back filler or plow to the tractor. Also extending inwardly from the cross beam 16, adjacent the inner surface of each of the side beams 15, is 9. lug or projection 23 to which is pivotally connected one end of a link or bar 24, the opposite end of the link or bar being ivotally connected to a projection 25 formed a racket 26 of the construction more ticularly illustrated in Fig. 11.

brackets 26 are secured, by means of the bolts I 27 or. other suitable fasteners, to the bearings 28 for the rear axle 2, the-bearings 28 being secured by means of the rivets 29 or other ormed on or secured to the rear end of t e v particularly on the outer face of' ed to the track frame of the tractor while,

their rear ends are connected to the rear cross beam of the back filler or plow frame and the pull or power for the back filler or plow is therefore taken from the track frame instead of from the center draw bar of the tractor as is now usually the case. By this construction .an even pull is provided for the frame of the back filler or plow and greater strength isprovided. .It will be noted that with this construction the position of the back filleror plow is not afii'ected due to the tractor passing over uneven ground.

Supported on the cross beam 16 of the back filler or plow frame is a jack or ram adapted to be operated from the power of the tractor or by hand. In the drawings I have illustrated the jack on ram of the hydraulic type operated from the power of the tractor but it will be understood that the jack or ram, as stated, might be of a construction to be operated by hand. The jack or ram illustrated consists of a cylinder-'32-and piston 33 operable therein, a cross head 34 being secured to the.top of the piston with a pair of depending links 35 pivotally connected at each end thereof, as shown more in Fig. 4 of the drawings. Also carried by thepiston 33 are the pins or projections 36 which operate in the guides 3'? Connected to the lower end of each of,

the links 35 is one end of a chain 38, the opposite end of the chain being connected to a bar 39 which extends parallel with the top surface of the cross beam 16, as shown more particularly in Figs. 4 and 6 of'the I drawings. Each of the chains '38 extends beneath .and. operates around a sprocket wheel 40 as also more clearly shown in Figs.

4 and 6 of the drawings. Secured to-the' pass or extend as shown more particu- Supported by the horizontally extending" 14, of the track frames 4,. are'the standards or frames of the construction rocket 43, as-shown more pafshown more particularly in Figs. 7 and 12' ofthe drawings. These standards or frames have the inwardly extending ledges or ribs which engage the flanges 14, as shown, more particularly in Fig. 12 of the drawings, and the sides of the standards or frames are drawn inwardly so that the ledges or ribs 45 are held in engagement with the flanges 14 by means of the bolt 46. Each of the standards or frames 44 has an outwardly extending projecting portion 47 which carries a loop or bail 48 to which is secured one "end of a chain 49, the opposite endof the chain being connected to. the rod 42 and the chain passing around a sprocket 50 supported by the uprights 51 on the top of the side beam 15. Each of the standards or frames 44 carries a plate 52, which may actas a Wear plate for the sidebeams 15 of the back filler or plow frame. Su ported by the tractor is an oil tank 53 an leading from the oil tank is the hose 54 which has its lower, end connected to the coupling 55. A hose 56 has its inner end secured to the coupling 57 and its outer end is connected to a couplin 58 which in turn is connected to the cylin er 32 of the jack or ram and communicates withthe interior thereof. Passage to the couplings and 57 is controlled by the valve 59rand a pump, of wellknown construction, carried by the tractor,

is shown at '60. The valve 59 is operated,

through means of the rod 61, which is connected to the lever 62 within easy reach of the operator of the tractor.- The valve 59 is of a three-wa construction and when the lever 62 is pul ed rearwardly towards the operator the pump draws the oilfrom the tank .53 through the hose 54 and the valve 59 'directsthe sanie through the hose 56 to the bottom'of the cylinder 32. The oil en tering the cylinder forces the piston 33 uphead 54, carried thereby, pulls the links 35' wardly and as the piston raises the cross upwardly and this movement pulls upon the chains 38 which in turn draw upon the rods 39, the chains 41, the rods 42, and thechains 49. As the upper ends of the chains 49 are secured to the loops or bails 48, of the standards or frames; 44, andas the chains 49 pass around the sprocket wheels .50, which are secure to the side beams of the back filler or low frame, the chains 49 will be shortened and in turn draw the frame of the back filler or plow' upwardly to raise 'the forwardend of the frame and position the blade 18 above the ground. When thus. raised the lever '62 may be moved back to a neutral position to so position the valve 59 to hold the oil in the cylinder. When it is desired to again lower the'back filler or pl'ow frame the lever 62.55 moved forwardly to position the valve 59 to allow the pump 60 to draw the oil from the cylinder and to again force the same back into the tank 53.

a scribed.

From the above detailed description it is.

lowering the frame of the back filler or low and have also connected the frame 0 the back filler or plow to the tractor in such a manner that the strain or pull is taken off of the center drayi bar of the tractor and is placed on the tracks of the tractor, links or bars being connected at one end to the track frame of the tracks and at the opposite ends secured to the rear cross beam of the frame of the back filler or plow and adjacent the outer ends thereof. When it is desired to raise and lower the frame of the back filler or plow'it is only necessary for the operator to manipulate the lever 62, which controlsthe valve 59. The valve in turn controls the passage of the. oil to the cylinder of the jack or ram, the ack or ram being operated, as ha (been previously de- Having fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is r 1. A 'scraper of the character described including in combination with a tractor havand lower the frame and blade relative to.

the tractor.- v a 2. A scraper of the character described including in combination with a tractor having a track frame, a frame connected to the tractor, a blade carried by the frame, a stand' ard carried bythe track frame and extending upwardly therefrom, a jack carried by the frame, and flexible means connecting the standard and jack and engageable with the frame whereby the frame may be raised and lowered relative'to the tractor upon operationof the jack. 4

'3.'A scraper of the character described including in combination with a tractor hav in a track frame, a frame pivotally connected to the tractor, a blade carried by the frame, a standard connected to and carried by the track frame, a flexible member connectedto the standard and engageable with the frame intermediate the ends thereof, and hydraulically controlled means carried by the framev and connected 'to the member which is connected to the standard and engageable with the frame for operating said member to. raise and lower the frame and blade relative to the tractor.

4. A scraper of the character described includingin combination with a tractor -a' frame surrounding the tractor, and barslat opposite sides of the tractor and pivotally' c5 i d connected to the tractor and frame, for connecting the frame to the tractor.

5. A scraper of the character described including in combination with a tractor having 5 a rearaxle, a frame surrounding the tractor, and draw bars at op osite sides of the tractor for connecting the rame to the tractor, the inner ends of the bars being pivotally connected to the tractor adjacent the rear axle thereof.

6. A scraper of, the character described including in combination with a tractor, a frame surrounding the tractor,- means for pivotally connecting the frame to the tractor, and draw bars on opposite sides of the tracto! and connected with the frame adjacent the sides thereof.

7. A scraperof the character described including in combination with a tractor, a frame pivotally connected to the tractor, a blade carried by 'the frame, brackets secured to the tractor, anddraw bars pivotally connected to the brackets and engageable with the frame.

,8. A scraper of the character described including incombination with a tractor having a rear axle, a frame pivotally connected to the tractor, brackets secured'to the tractor adjacent the rear axle thereoffland draw bars pivotally connected to the brackets-and engageable with the frame.

9. A scraper of the character described 1ncluding in combination with a tractor, a frame pivotally connected to the tractor, a blade carried by the frame, means carried by the frame for raising and lowering the same --re1ative to'the tractor, and draw bars connected to the tractor on opposite sides thereof and to the frame. v

10. A scraper ,of the character described including frame pivotally connected to the tractor, a blade carried by the'frame, a standard connected to and carried by the tractor, a jack carried by the frame, means connecting the standard and jack and engageable with the frame for raising and lowering the same relative to .the tractor, and draw bars pivotally connected to the tractor on opposite sides thereof and connected to the frame adjacent the sides thereof.

the track frame and formed and adapted to engage the flanges thereof, a member connected to the standard and engageable with the frame, .and means carried by the frame for operating said member to raise. and lower the frame and blade relative to the tractor.

13. A scraper of the character described comprising in combination with a tractor a frame surrounding the tractor and ivotally connected thereto, said frame including side and end beams, a blade secured to that end of the frame removed from the pivot point of the frame with the tractor, a jack supported by that end beam of the frame adjacent the pivot point,'a standard connected to each.

signature.

HARRY C. BUFFINGTON.

in combination with a tractor, a

11. A scraper of the character described ineluding in combination frame surrounding the tractor and pivotally connected thereto, and means at opposite sides of the tractor and pivotally connected to the tractor and frame for connecting the frame to the tractor and for taking the pull rear axle of the tractor.

, 12. A scraper of the character described comprising in combination with a tractor inclu'dlng a flanged trackframe, otally) connected to the tractor, a blade carwith a tractor, a

from the tractor to the frame ad acent the a frame pivy the frame, a standard supportedby jack, and engageable' 

